Underground Mix Sync Camp Recap

I won't pretend I wasn't nervous, but I showed up anyway. Was it enough?

This weekend I participated in the Underground Mix Sync Camp and I'm still processing this experience. So much to unpack . . . so many moments that left me feeling a range of different emotions that, to be honest, I'm not sure what to do with. When I received the email the first day on who I was going to be in the room with and what my role was going to be, I immediately felt the weight of the room. Those familiar questions came rushing back to me: How did I get here? How did I end up in this room with these amazing artists? Am I good enough? Can I deliver? Imposter syndrome settled around me like a warm blanket I always cling to for safety.

I knew the caliber of artists I'd be creating with. I know what sync licensing means at its highest level: the kind of music placements that show up in films, TV shows, trailers, and media that reach millions of people. I knew this was a space built for artists who are serious about their craft and about building sustainable music careers.

I had to remind myself that I was in these rooms because I belonged here, even if I couldn't see it yet. When you know you're exactly where you're supposed to be, there's a particular kind of pressure that comes with it, the kind that stretches you and makes you feel extremely uncomfortable.

What Is a Sync Camp, exactly?

For those who are new to sync licensing, here's the simple version: sync (short for "synchronization") licensing is the process of placing music in visual media such as films, TV shows, commercials, video games, trailers, and more. It's one of the most lucrative and meaningful revenue streams available to independent artists, and it's a world that takes time, intention, and relationship-building to navigate well.

A sync camp brings artists, producers, topliners, and sometimes supervisors together to create music with placement potential in mind intentionally, collaboratively, and at a high level. It's not just a writing session. It's a masterclass in thinking like a professional music creator.

Showing Up Anyway

I had the honor of participating alongside four extraordinarily gifted artists, Mona Soul, Noel Cohen, Bonnie Warren, and Alyssa DeGati, and walking into these sessions reminded me that growth rarely feels comfortable. It feels like exactly this: a stomach full of butterflies, a heart full of purpose, and hands shaking but ready to create.

As a producer and topliner, I came into this camp knowing my role but also knowing that this experience would challenge me to grow beyond what I've done before. That's the point. You don't pour into your craft by staying safe. You pour into it by putting yourself in rooms that require the best of you.

Why This Matters to Me

Sync licensing has been on my heart for a long time. It sits at the intersection of everything I love: music creation, storytelling, and building something that lasts. I've been actively working toward this space: studying the business, building relationships, and sharpening my sound specifically for sync opportunities.

The Underground Mix Sync Camp was and is one more step on that path. Whether the nervousness I felt walking in was fear or excitement, I've learned they feel the same. The difference is what you do with it.

For now, I'm proud of myself for pushing past the fear and uncertainty no matter what. I showed up. I created. I stayed open.

Good soil will always grow good works. I'm still in the growing season, and I'm grateful for every room that stretches me toward the harvest.

Stay tuned. There's more coming. 🌱